News

Some of Australia’s top netball umpires and coaches have joined forces in a series of videos that help explain the new rule changes that will come into effect from 1 January 2016.

Netball Australia, along with the eight state and territory Member Organisations will implement the new International Netball Federation Official Rules of Netball across all associated competitions and events that were voted upon and approved by the INF Congress in August.

The series of informative and instructional videos will explain the rules and relevant interpretations making it easier for players, coaches, officials and umpires to see the new rules in action.

The new rules will include the elimination of whistles following goals and obvious ball out of court, amendments to injury time and changes to the out of play rule.

Netball Australia’s leading umpires Michelle Phippard and Marc Henning appear in the videos along with High Performance Umpire coach Jacqui Jashari, former Australian captain and new Adelaide Thunderbirds coach Michelle den Dekker and current Australian Diamonds specialist coach Jane Searle.

Summary of Rule Changes:

Umpires no longer blow their whistle when goals are scored and if it is clear that the ball is out of court.

The use of the word ‘Penalties’ has been changed to ‘Sanctions’. Sanctions will include Free Pass or Pass/Shot. Throw In and Toss Up are considered actions as opposed to Sanctions (or penalties under the current version).

When taking a centre pass, the Centre is required to now only have one foot wholly within the centre circle.

Once a player taking a penalty pass is in the correct position, the player may choose either to play the ball immediately or to wait for the infringer to stand out of play. However, it is important to note that the changes to the rule regarding the taking of the penalty pass do not remove the requirement for a player who is sanctioned for a major infringement to stand out of play.

All injury/illness stoppages, which will include blood, will be 30 seconds, and the injured player must come off the court.

Goal tending will no longer be allowed. Players will not be able to deflect a shot once the ball is on a downward flight towards the ring, including touching the ball up through the net.

Netball Australia has also updated the online Level 1 Umpires Course and Section 1 Umpire Theory Exam with the new rule changes and these are both now available to complete via the MyNetball Learning Portal.

The Australian Diamonds’ three-Test tour of England in January 2016 will be the first international Test matches contested under the new Official Rules of Netball.

Click here for a quick reference guide to the rule changes or here for the new Official Rules of Netball.